Page 4 - HGS Suburb News 137 - Winter 2019

in conversation with...

... Marlene Ryder

Daphne Berkovi talks to Marlene about her life and work

arlene Ryder has been a returned to work as I was Marlene why she was given the
M resident of Hampstead fortunate to have help at home. award. “The award was given
Garden Suburb for many years, Once my second son was born to me because of my services at
originally coming to this area I stopped working and by then Brent CAB, yet I have no idea
from her hometown, Kingston we were living in Brookland Rise who put my name forward.”
in Jamaica, after completing her in the Suburb. Both my sons She then showed me the
school education at 18. She has attended Brookland School and photograph of her receiving
had a long and successful career then went to Christ College.” the award from the Queen; and
helping many of our citizens, Marlene related that, once I asked her about the ceremony.
which will come to light later. her second son had started “Well, I went to Buckingham
Originally we had met primary school, she returned to Palace to receive my award and
through HGS U3A and as a work embarking on a very long was welcomed and made to
member of our Book Group, career with the Citizens Advice feel very comfortable. All the
Marlene then kindly agreed to Bureau. “I originally started recipients were lined up in a
be interviewed for Suburb News. working in Camden with the queue. The Queen was very
I firstly asked Marlene about Citizens Advice Bureau, until I well briefed, and knew about
her formative years in Jamaica. was recruited to become the my background.” Marlene
“I grew up in Kingston and Director of the CAB in Brent.” explained that she was allowed
attended my local school from I worked there for over 20 years to bring two guests, which
kindergarten all the way until my retirement.” were her sons, and after the
through to my Higher School I asked Marlene about her ceremony they celebrated by
Certificate (equivalent to A experience there. “Well I found having a lunch at the Savoy
levels) at 18. Thereafter I my work very meaningful; with friends.
attended secretarial college.” helping so many people, it was She also explained that she
So why the move to the a privilege. Not only assisting moved from Brookland Rise to
London. “I came to London to many individuals to understand Rotherwick Road and
study at the Regent Street their rights, but also being able subsequently settled in Willifield
Polytechnic for a degree, a BSc to help them access them as Way, her present home now for
in Sociology. Afterwards I well. Also, I was working with a ten years. She is now retired
returned to Jamaica and joined wonderful team of colleagues, and has always enjoyed
the Civil Service, although I had whom I still have contact with.” travelling, either visiting her
to complete a stint in the UK Marlene told me that the CAB family in the West Indies, her
Civil Service first. After four in Willesden has grown from son in China with his family, or
years I returned to London and sharing part of the building in to Africa and India.
married, settling first in Golders Willesden, to now occupying As for life in the Suburb,
Green. For a short while I was the full premises. Marlene revealed that she came
employed as a teacher in a Alongside her CAB work, here because the Suburb was a
secondary school in Haringey, Marlene spoke about her role as conservation area, which was of
but left to work at the Institute a Non-Executive Director at particular interest. “I love the trees
of Education in London in the Central Middlesex Hospital. “I was here; and this area is so different
Department of Advanced invited by the Medical Director to the rest of London; the design
Studies, engaged in the of the hospital to become a and scale of the cottages are
recruitment of teachers who member of the board; a post unique.” This was gratifying to
were applying to study for a which I held for eight years.” hear and understandable from
Masters or PhD in education.” It was then that I broached someone who has made the
Marlene then explained that the subject of Marlene’s MBE, greater part of her life here on
she stayed there until her first which I had found out about by the Suburb and her appreciation
son was born, “but I quickly doing my own research. I asked of this community

Double glazing for thermal efficiency

There are a number of ways to improve the thermal efficiency of your home. One of those is by installing
double glazed windows.
It is usually possible to manufacture double glazed windows, both in timber and steel that carefully match
the original designs. The Trust can supply the names of specialist manufacturers of timber and steel framed
double glazed windows.

Trust consent is required for the replacement of windows. The
application process can be quite straightforward. Window
drawings will need to be supplied and in some cases a sample
window may be required. This information is necessary to
ensure the replacement windows match the originals. For
further advice on the application process please contact the
Trust office or email planning@hgstrust.org.
Alternatively, it is possible to improve the thermal efficiency
of original windows. Window frames can be made more
efficient by weather stripping to exclude draughts. Secondary
glazing can also be fitted internally. This is less costly than
replacing the windows. Care must be taken to ensure that the
secondary glazing is not very visible from the exterior.

Should you wish to refer to our Design Guidance you may
access it via our website www.hgstrust.org or by picking up a
copy from the Trust office.

862 Finchley Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 6AB 020 8455 1066 mail@hgstrust.org www.hgstrust.org twitter: @HGSTrust

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